AQW 25861/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 09/04/2025
Answered On Date: 28/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of rising temperatures as a public health concern.

Answer:

Rising temperatures caused by climate change has been recognised as a public health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that climate change presents a threat to public health and is impacting health in a myriad of ways, including by leading to death and illness from increasingly frequent extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms and floods, the disruption of food systems, increases in zoonoses and food-, water- and vector-borne diseases, and mental health issues.

In accordance with the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK Government conducts a risk assessment for the UK every five years and this includes summaries for each UK country. These include assessments in relation to health, such as from high temperatures, and help to inform country specific national adaptation plans.

Additionally, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) established the Centre for Climate and Health Security in October 2022 and led on the fourth ‘Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK’ report published in 2023. The report brings together up to date evidence to inform policies and actions to secure health.

The Health Effects of Climate Change report points out that many of the anticipated adverse health impacts of climate change in the UK are still avoidable through mitigation and adaptation and that there are other benefits to health to be gained. The latest Climate Change Committee summary for Northern Ireland points to an opportunity for health from high temperatures that needs further exploration. An example of this is the physical and mental health benefits of increased physical activity and contact with nature. As summer temperatures rise, opportunities for more outdoor activities could increase.